For the second straight season, starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill started all 16 regular-season games for the Miami Dolphins and he improved upon his rookie year in every measurable category. The comfort of knowing he had a seasoned veteran in Matt Moore behind him, as well as a solid youngster in Pat Devlin, allowed Tannehill to approach his job with a clear head.

Despite being sacked 58 times, Tannehill’s toughness emerged as his most admirable trait and earned him the respect of teammates and opponents alike. He only came out of the game one time at Buffalo on December 22nd and even then he wound up coming back in. His even-keeled demeanor worked well in the huddle and inside the quarterbacks meeting room and that allowed for a smooth working relationship among him, Moore and Devlin.

With all three back in the fold next season, Miami has the luxury of having stability at the most important position on the field. That means new General Manager Dennis Hickey and Head Coach Joe Philbin can focus on building more pieces around Tannehill on offense.

BREAKING DOWN DOLPHINS QUARTERBACKS

• Ryan Tannehill (6-4, 222) — Tannehill just missed becoming the first quarterback since Hall-of-Famer Dan Marino to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark, completing 355-of-588 passes for 3,913 yards with 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He doubled his touchdown numbers, looked more sure of himself in the pocket as the season progressed and put together impressive scoring drives at the end of halves and games against Indianapolis, Atlanta, New England, San Diego and Pittsburgh. Year Three will be another litmus test in his development.

• Matt Moore (6-3, 216) — Just like in 2012, Moore was only called upon once to relieve an injured Tannehill and when he was pressed into action backed up near his own end zone at Buffalo he responded. Moore showed off his strong arm with a 50-yard pass on 3rd-and-18 to Brian Hartline to breathe life into the offense but was intercepted for the first of two times on the next play. His decision to stay in Miami rather than test free agency last March benefited the team because of what his presence meant to Tannehill.

• Pat Devlin (6-3, 225) — Devlin continued to impress Philbin in their second year together and provided good depth at the position behind Tannehill and Moore. His grasp of the offense and the chemistry he has with the other two quarterbacks is something that cannot be overstated.